YOUNG offenders in Hartlepool are helping to make amends for their crimes by working for the benefit of the community.

Young people subject to Reparation Orders are working under the supervision of Hartlepool Youth Offending Service Staff to clean up graffiti and other vandalism on the site of the Mill House Skateboard Park.

Reparation Orders, sentences introduced as part of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, are designed to benefit the victim of a crime directly, or if this is not possible, the community as a whole.

Paul Andrew, reparation officer with Hartlepool Youth Offending Service, said: "We felt the skateboard park provided us with a good opportunity to put these orders into practice and, hopefully, this work will make it a safer, more attractive place and a more user-friendly venue."

Between two and three offenders are involved at any one time in removing or painting over the graffiti at the skateboard park, while also carrying out general cleaning of the surrounding area.

Hartlepool Mayor Stuart Drummond, who has visited the skateboard park to see the scheme in operation, said: "I think it is important that young people convicted of certain crimes are seen to be giving something back either to their victims or the community in general as a form of community payback."